Safe use of chains

When using chains and chain slings on the job, you need to keep a few important things in mind.
According to the National Safety Council “Supervisors’ Safety Manual,” chains should never be
overloaded. Common causes of chain failure include metal fatigue, bending or deforming the
chain links, and fragility due to defects in the metal.

To prevent chain failure, it is important to regularly check chains or chain sling links. NSC also
recommends purchasing chain slings complete from the manufacturer and returning them to the
manufacturer for repairs. Additionally, NSC cautions against inserting a bolt or nail between two
broken links to hold them together.

Before attempting to lift a load with a chain or chain sling, check the chain thoroughly to ensure
no knots or kinks are present. When lifting, do so slowly and gradually. Never try to hammer a
link over the hook, NSC states, as this can stretch both the links and hook. When bringing a load
down, apply the brakes incrementally to ensure a smooth stop.

NSC recommends that chains should be tagged with their:

 Load capacity
 Date of last inspection
 Type of material

Equipment
 Lab Volt Trainer
 Two single strand roller chain sprockets
 One same size roller chain
 Two silent chain sprockets
 1 silent chain
 shafts
 keys and fittings, tools
 digital tachometer
 camera

Questions:
1. List the tools that we used to align and check the slack in the chains.

Ans: The most common tools used for aligning chains are hand tools such as a straight edge,
measuring tape, slack setter chain tension tool, level, or laser alignment tool.

2. Describe the two ways to join the roller chain?

Ans: Roller Chain Installation – 5 Steps
REQUIRED TOOLS: You will need an angle grinder, chain vise, punch or chain screw, hammer and either
a straight edge, level or laser alignment tool.

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  Step 1: Grind the riveted portion of the two pins with the angle grinder (remove the cotter
pins if necessary).
 Step 2: Secure the chain in the chain vise. Use the primary and secondary punch (or chain
screw) and remove one set of pins.
 Step 3: Check both parallel shaft alignment and sprocket axial alignment using a straight
edge, level or a laser alignment tool. Misalignment results in uneven loading across the
width of the chain and may cause roller link plate and sprocket tooth wear. Remember to
place the sprockets as close to bearings as possible.
 Step 4: Install both ends of the chain onto the sprocket and join with the connecting links,
then fastened by a spring clip or cotters (it may be necessary to have assistance to support
the chain as the connection is made).
 Step 5: After installing the chain, you must check the accuracy of the installation. Verify
the amount of slack and the precise positioning of the shaft

i) Explain what roller chain is and what typical applications for this type of chain are.

Ans: Roller chain or bush roller chain is the type of chain drive most used for transmission of
mechanical power on many kinds of domestic, industrial, and agricultural machinery, including
conveyors, wire- and tube-drawing machines, printing presses, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Roller chain types include standard, heavy duty, double pitch for light loads, attachment options,
and many application-specific geometries.

ii) Explain what silent chain is and what typical applications for this type of chain are.

Ans: Silent chains are used in a range of demanding industrial and automotive applications,
particularly those industries requiring high speeds and quiet operation. A silent chain is
essentially an assemblage of gear racks, each with two teeth, pivotally connected to form a
closed chain. The links are pin-connected, flat steel plates with straight teeth. silent chain is
frequently used in a variety of industrial applications including drives in paper and textile mills,
flour and feed mills, printing presses, industrial fans and blowers, pumps, and machine tools. It
is also commonly used as a timing chain in early automobile engines.

iii) Explain what typical terminology for roller chain and silent chain is.

Attachment
These are special designed links with tabs or extended pins that are built in a chain for
special conveying applications.

Average Tensile Strength

The tensile strength rating is based on a test where a machine pulls on a sample roller
chain until it breaks. This test is repeated multiple times to obtain the 'average' tensile
strength.

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Bushing
This is the part in a roller chain that sits between the pin and roller. The bushing is the
bearing point allowing the pin and roller to rotate. Many Nitro roller chains are made
with solid bushings. Some sizes may be fastened with split.

Connecting Link
These are the main links used to connect two ends of chain together. Another term for
this is "master link".

Double Pitch
This is used to describe a roller chain has a 'Pitch' dimension that is double of a
standard roller chain. All other dimensions are identical. An alternative term is
"extended pitch".

Link Plate
These are the inner and outer plates of a roller chain. The plates are what hold all the
other chain components and takes the brunt of the loads.

Roller
The roller is a part that comes into contact with the sprocket teeth. Nitro roller chains
are manufactured with solid constructed one piece rollers.

Roller Link
This is the inner link of an assembled roller chain. The roller link consists of the inner
plates, rollers and bushings.

iv) Explain what is slack of the chain.

Ans: Definition 1: Slack is the amount of chain movement, up and down, that easily movies with
the slightest touch before resistance is made (have to start pushing up or down) Definition 2:
Slack is the amount of chain movement by using forceful pressure on the chain until it won't
move up or down.

v) Explain what you did in the lab & explain what you learn today.

Ans:

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